Dear ILR Community,
As you are keenly aware, we are living in unprecedented times. Like you, we are all eager to return to our normal routines. With respect to how ILR will look this fall, we are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds and planning for contingencies. As always, your health and safety are our utmost concern. We promise to keep you fully informed as the upcoming semester takes shape.
Before the heartbreak of canceling our spring semester, while only two weeks into registration, we were just 13 registrations shy of last spring’s record enrollment. Nevertheless, the registrations we did process, combined with last fall’s success, resulted in the highest yearly enrollment in our history, and our eighth consecutive record-breaking year. Until it all fell apart.
Since 2011, ILR has been self-supporting. While we are thankful to receive office space, equipment, student-worker support, and more from Miami University, our only sources of revenue for staffing and operating expenses are our semester fees, donations, and catalog advertising. Despite our burgeoning growth this past decade, you have witnessed us operating very lean, with only one full-time staff member. Creatively tapping into volunteer power and relying on donor support have enabled us to keep our fees affordable and provide greater opportunity for broader community participation.
We proudly and humbly report that 25% percent of our spring registration fees were donated back to ILR. We are truly grateful and appreciate every donation. But a 75% revenue loss creates a hardship. For the first time in our history, our current situation finds us facing a June 30 fiscal year-end deficit. Due to our history of sound financial stewardship, we will survive; but without financial assistance, our modest reserves fund, earmarked for hiring much-needed, part-time help, will now need to be redirected to cover our losses.
Like most businesses and nonprofits, this pandemic has dealt ILR a serious blow. Moreover, while we are all in the same storm, some of us are adrift in a different boat. Unlike many businesses and nonprofits, ILR will not receive Cares Act funding. For that reason, we must seek external sources of relief.
GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity will take place this Tuesday, May 5, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. It is an opportunity for the world to come together to thank, to give, to help, and to heal. If you are in a position to support ILR and help us recover our losses, we would be most appreciative. No amount is too small, and your tax-deductible gift will be gratefully accepted before or beyond the May 5th global giving date. The Donate Today link below will direct you to our website's secure online giving page, as well as an alternate mail-in option.
With your help, we have no doubt we will successfully weather this storm together, emerging even stronger on the other side. Until then, please remain positive, stay safe, and keep healthy.
